East Valley Casitas Get a Quote

Shops and RV garages: cost, height and setbacks

Quick answer

Plan on $95 to $135 per square foot for a stucco shop or RV garage that matches the house, and $130 to $165 for an insulated shop with AC. The 5-foot casita setback does not cover a shop or RV bay, and a 14 ft door pushes the roof past the 15 ft reduced-setback limit in Queen Creek, Chandler and Mesa.

Last updated November 2, 2026.

Illustration of a detached stucco workshop with an open roll-up door on a desert lot
Illustration. Not a photo of a real project.

Shop and RV garage cost calculator

Pick a size and finish. The range uses the same per square foot rates as our published 2026 cost table, so the math always matches.

What are you planning?
300 to 1,200 sq ft. Under 500 sq ft uses the higher small-casita rate.
Finish level
A bigger kitchen or a second bath moves you up a finish band. High-end is the top band.
Utility runs (power, water, sewer)
Examples: 20x40 is 800 sq ft. 24x45 is 1,080. 24x50 is 1,200.
Tallest door
HELOC payment example settings

7.2% is an example rate only, not an offer or a quote. Your lender sets your real rate and terms.

Planning estimate

$0

    Example HELOC payment

    $0

    Like this number? Take the next step.

    Get a free quote for this build

    Change any setting above and your estimate goes with your request.

    Just your name and email. No calls. We'll email your estimate shortly.

    Where the money goes (line items)

    These rows add up to the total above. The last row is the balance: plumbing, electrical, finishes, bath, kitchen, builder overhead and contingency. Permits and fees have their own row.

    Line-item breakdown of your estimate
    Line itemLowHigh
    Total (matches the estimate)$0$0

    Free, by email

    Free RV garage fit check

    Send your address and door height. We email you back who zones your lot and whether the 15 ft rule applies to it, with links to the official rules. No calls.

    What we check against:

    • Queen Creek: a detached accessory building over 15 feet tall must meet the zoning district's normal side and rear setbacks.
    • Chandler: detached accessory buildings other than ADUs are limited to 15 feet tall and must meet the district's side and rear setbacks.
    • Mesa: a detached accessory building over 15 feet tall at the peak must meet the district's normal setbacks and generally cannot be taller than your house's roof peak without a Special Use Permit.
    • Unincorporated Maricopa County: detached accessory buildings may sit in the required side or rear yard as close as 3 feet to the lot line, as long as they cover no more than 30% of that yard.
    • Gilbert, the Town of San Tan Valley and unincorporated Pinal County: we have not confirmed current numbers, so we tell you which office to ask.

    Your HOA and any PAD zoning can be stricter.

    We only use this to look up your zoning.
    Door height you want

    East Valley Casitas is an independent planning site, not a contractor. Quotes come from licensed Arizona ROC contractors. Planning estimate only, not legal or permit advice. Confirm with your city or county.

    2026 shop and RV garage cost per square foot

    2026 shop and RV garage cost per square foot
    Shop or RV bay2026 planning rate
    Stucco shop or RV garage (matches the house)$95 to $135 per sq ft
    Insulated shop with AC$130 to $165 per sq ft
    Red-iron steel building (no HOA)Quote pending

    Steel kits alone run about $11 to $18 per sq ft. The slab, doors, electric and erection are most of the cost, so ask for a full turnkey quote.

    Line items for a 24x45 stucco RV garage with a 14 ft door

    Line items for a 24x45 stucco RV garage with a 14 ft door
    Line itemLowHigh
    Site prep, grading and engineering$4,700$8,300
    Concrete slab (1,080 sq ft)$15,300$19,200
    Framing (1,080 sq ft)$24,100$32,000
    Exterior walls and roof (1,080 sq ft)$19,800$26,700
    14 ft door and jackshaft opener$4,900$7,400
    Permits and plan review fees$900$1,900
    Plumbing, electrical, interior finishes, bath, kitchen, builder overhead and contingency (balance)$32,900$50,300
    Total$102,600$145,800

    The height problem, drawn to scale

    • 8 ft standard garage door
    • 13 ft 6 in typical fifth wheel
    • 15 ft reduced-setback limit in Queen Creek, Chandler and Mesa
    • 21 ft typical peak of an RV garage with a 14 ft door
    A 13 ft 6 in fifth wheel needs a 14 ft door. A 14 ft door usually means 16 to 18 ft walls and an 18 to 22 ft roof peak, which is taller than the reduced-setback height limit in Queen Creek, Chandler and Mesa. Building heights are typical examples, not code numbers.

    A 14-foot RV door usually means 16 to 18 foot walls and an 18 to 22 foot roof peak. That is taller than the reduced-setback height limit in Queen Creek, Chandler and Mesa.

    • In Queen Creek, a detached accessory building over 15 feet tall must meet the zoning district's normal side and rear setbacks. Buildings 15 feet or less may sit closer to the lot line (often 5 feet rear, 5 or 10 feet side, depending on zoning). (town page)
    • In Chandler, detached accessory buildings other than ADUs are limited to 15 feet tall and must meet the district's side and rear setbacks. (Ord. 5113)
    • In Mesa, a detached accessory building over 15 feet tall at the peak must meet the district's normal setbacks and generally cannot be taller than your house's roof peak without a Special Use Permit. (Ord. 5883)
    • Gilbert, the Town of San Tan Valley and unincorporated Pinal County: we have not confirmed current numbers. Check with the town or county.

    Why the 5-foot casita rule does not help a shop

    The 5-foot ADU setback applies to the living unit. In Chandler and Mesa, a garage attached to an ADU must meet the normal setbacks, and in Mesa the normal accessory height limits too.

    So a casita with an RV bay attached is really two things to the city: a casita that may sit close to the line, and a garage that must meet the normal rules. Plan the bay inside the normal setbacks from day one. A good designer will show you both lines on the site plan.

    Where shops and RV garages fit best

    Maricopa County islands. In unincorporated Maricopa County, detached accessory buildings may sit in the required side or rear yard as close as 3 feet to the lot line, as long as they cover no more than 30% of that yard. That is the most room we found in our area. See county island casitas and shops.

    Big lots with no HOA. A tall building that meets the full district setbacks needs room. Large lots give you that room, and with no HOA your city or county rules are the only gate.

    HOA subdivisions. The state ADU laws do not override HOA rules. If your HOA's CC&Rs limit casitas or tall detached buildings, those rules still apply. Many HOAs limit tall detached buildings, so ask before you design.

    Casita plus shop combos

    See RV garage cost by size and RV garage with a casita for more detail.

    A casita with a shop or RV bay is one of the biggest backyard projects. Example: a 600 sq ft Standard casita plus a 24x45 stucco RV bay is about $233,400 to $291,000 in our calculator, and $219,600 to $304,800 across all casita finish levels.

    Mesa has issued real permits for combos like this; see the East Mesa page.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does an RV garage cost in the East Valley?

    A stucco RV garage that matches the house is $95 to $135 per sq ft in our 2026 table. A 20x40 (800 sq ft) comes to about $76,000 to $108,000. An insulated 24x50 shop with AC is about $156,000 to $198,000.

    What door height do I need for a fifth wheel?

    Many fifth wheels are around 13 ft 6 in tall, so owners usually plan a 14 ft door. Measure your rig, including AC units and antennas, before you design.

    Can my RV garage sit 5 feet from the property line?

    Not based on the casita rule. The 5-foot ADU setback applies to the living unit. A tall RV garage must meet the normal setbacks in Queen Creek, Chandler and Mesa. In unincorporated Maricopa County, accessory buildings may sit as close as 3 feet within the 30% yard limit.

    Can I build a steel building?

    Often on a no-HOA lot, if the city or county allows it. Many HOAs require a stucco finish that matches the house.

    Does a 14 ft door need a taller building?

    Yes. A 14-foot RV door usually means 16 to 18 foot walls and an 18 to 22 foot roof peak.

    Sources

    All sources checked Oct 29, 2026.

    Get your free shop or RV garage quote

    Four quick taps about your lot, then how to reach you. It is free, with no obligation.

    How it works

    1. 1Tell us about your project.
    2. 2We review it and pass it to one licensed local contractor.
    3. 3You get your quote, no obligation.

    Your request goes to one contractor, not a list.

    Step 1 of 2: your project

    What are you planning?
    HOA status
    Lot size

    Step 2 of 2: how to reach you

    When do you want to start?

    Optional. Unchecked: we follow up by email only, and your phone is optional. Checked: we need your mobile number, and email is optional.

    Takes 30 seconds. Free, with no obligation.

    East Valley Casitas is an independent planning site, not a contractor. Quotes come from licensed Arizona ROC contractors. We may be paid a referral fee by the contractor. You never pay us. Planning estimate only, not legal or permit advice. Confirm with your city or county.

    Get my free quote